Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924-2018)

 Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an Indian 

politician, statesman, and orator who served as the 10th Prime Minister of India. Born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Vajpayee was one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), which later evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was known for his inclusive leadership style and his efforts to strengthen India's position on the global stage.

Early Life and Education:

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born to Krishna Devi and Krishna Bihari Vajpayee, who was a schoolteacher. He completed his primary education in his hometown of Gwalior and later moved to Kanpur for his high school education. Vajpayee graduated with a degree in Hindi, English, and Sanskrit from Victoria College in Gwalior. He later completed his post-graduation in Political Science from DAV College in Kanpur.

Political Career:

Atal Bihari Vajpayee started his political career as a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization. In 1951, he became a member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which was founded by Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Vajpayee was elected to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian parliament) for the first time in 1957 from Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh. He was re-elected in 1962, 1967, 1971, 1977, 1980, 1984, and 1991.

In 1968, Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the president of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. He played a key role in the formation of the Janata Party, which came to power after defeating the Congress Party in the 1977 general elections. Vajpayee served as the External Affairs Minister in the Janata government.

In 1980, Vajpayee left the Janata Party and formed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with other leaders. He became the president of the BJP and led the party to its first victory in the state of Madhya Pradesh in 1990. In 1996, the BJP emerged as the largest party in the Lok Sabha, and Vajpayee was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India. However, his government lasted only 13 days as he failed to secure a majority in the parliament.

Vajpayee was again sworn in as the Prime Minister of India in 1998, following the BJP's victory in the general elections. His government successfully conducted India's second nuclear test in May 1998, which brought India under international sanctions. However, Vajpayee's government was successful in reviving India's economy and making it one of the fastest-growing in the world.

In 1999, India fought a brief but intense war with Pakistan in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir. Vajpayee's leadership during the Kargil conflict was widely praised, and he emerged as a strong leader who was willing to take bold steps to protect India's sovereignty.

In the 2004 general elections, the BJP suffered a shock defeat, and Vajpayee announced his retirement from active politics. He remained a respected figure in Indian politics and was known for his oratorical skills and statesmanship.

Personal Life:

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a bachelor and remained unmarried throughout his life. He lived a simple life and was known for his love of poetry and literature.